History of western fashion

 

The easiest form of Western fashion was called the toga, a long piece of fabric draped over the shoulders and around the body. Togas were primarily worn by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Although it evolved from a simple form of clothing for work, the Greek and Roman toga was a formal piece used for specific ceremonious events. The toga thus came to represent one's civil hierarchy. Togas were typically white since dyed fabrics were costly and only those who could afford them could wear dyed fabric. Purple fabrics would be worn by the emperor since purple was an expensive dye and signified nobility. Eventually, the toga was only worn by men and prostitutes before the lower and middle classes phased it out. Women adapted the toga into stolas, a type of toga that involved more dramatic draping. The toga style of draping is still used today.